Devices

Java software runs in many places, on many kinds of computers and devices. Here's how a Java application runs on a PC, NC or other desktop computer:

	References to Java software are included on a dashboard, start-up menu, or other location. This software itself can live on the network or the computer's local disk.
	The Java virtual machine* first does stringent security checks, and then runs the application.
	The computer's operating system1 provides machine-specific support for many of the actual operations and interactions.
	Result: An interactive Java application. The Java virtual machine serves as consistent platform on different kinds of computers and operating systems, so that the same Java application runs in browsers on PCs, Macs, UNIX® workstations, Network Computers, and elsewhere.

Back to: How the Java Platform Works

¹Examples of operating systems include Windows95, Windows NT, UNIX®, and Apple MacOS.

For a more detailed technical description of the workings of the Java platform, see The Java Language Environment - A White Paper.

*As used on this web site, the terms "Java virtual machine" or "JVM" mean a virtual machine for the Java platform.